Testicular Cancer

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is a condition in which there are cancer cells in one or both of a man's testicles. The cause of the disease is unknown; however, risk factors such as having an undescended testicle, being Caucasian, and having a family history of the disease, can increase your risk. Symptoms include a painless lump or swelling in the testicle, a dull ache in the abdomen or groin, and a sudden buildup of fluid in the scrotum. More than 95 percent of the time, the disease can be cured. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

What Is Testicular Cancer?
Testicular cancer is a disease in which cells become malignant (cancerous) in one or both testicles. Each year, approximately 8,000 men are diagnosed with it, and 390 men die as a result of the disease.

Testicular cancer:

* Occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 39
* Is the most common form of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 34
* Is most common in Caucasian men, especially those of Scandinavian descent.

Testicular cancer accounts for only 1 percent of all cancers in men in the United States.

Understanding the Testes
The testicles are two egg-shaped glands that are located inside the scrotum, which is a sac of loose skin that lies directly below the penis. The testicles are held within the scrotum by the spermatic cord, which also contains the vas deferens, vessels, and nerves of the testicles. The testicles are the male sex glands that produce testosterone and sperm. Germ cells within the testicles produce immature sperm that travel through a network of tubules (tiny tubes) and larger tubes. The germ cells then travel into the epididymis, which is a long, coiled tube that is next to the testicles where the sperm mature and are stored.

Testicular Cancer (Cont.)

Types of Testicular Cancer
In most cases, testicular cancer starts in the germ cells. The two main types of testicular germ cell tumors are seminomas and nonseminomas. These two types of testicular germ cell tumors grow and spread differently and are treated differently. A testicular tumor that contains both seminoma and nonseminoma cells is treated as a nonseminoma.

Risk Factors
No one knows the exact cause or causes of testicular cancer. However, there are certain conditions that can increase a person's chance of getting it. These conditions are called risk factors. Risk factors for testicular cancer include:

* An undescended testicle
* Abnormal development of the testicles
* A personal or family history of testicular cancer
* Klinefelter's syndrome (a condition that occurs in men as a result of an extra X chromosome)
* Being Caucasian.

Symptoms of Testicular Cancer
Common symptoms include:

* A painless lump or swelling in either testicle
* A change in how the testicle feels
* A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
* A sudden buildup of fluid in the scrotum
* Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum.

These possible testicular cancer symptoms are not sure signs of the disease. Other health problems can also cause these symptoms. People who have possible symptoms of testicular cancer should see a doctor as soon as possible because only a doctor can diagnose and treat the problem.

Making a Diagnosis
If a person has possible symptoms of testicular cancer, doctors will need to:

* Perform a physical exam
* Ask about the patient's personal and family medical history
* Recommend additional tests and procedures to examine the testicles.

Exams and tests used to make a diagnosis may include:

* Blood tumor marker tests
* An ultrasound
* An inguinal orchiectomy with biopsy.

Stages of Testicular Cancer
If a testicular cancer diagnosis is made, the doctor will need to determine the stage, or extent, of the disease in order to plan the best treatment. Testicular cancer staging is an attempt to find out the size of the tumor, whether the disease has spread, and if so, to what parts of the body. The doctor may determine the stage of testicular cancer at the time of diagnosis or the patient may need more tests.

The following stages are used for testicular cancer:

* Stage 0
* Stage I
* Stage II
* Stage III
* Recurrent.

Treatment Options
Although the incidence of testicular cancer has risen in recent years, more than 95 percent of cases can be cured. Treatment is more likely to be successful when the cancer is found early.

Testicular cancer treatments vary based on:

* The type of testicular cancer
* The testicular cancer stage
* The patient's age
* The patient's general health.

Treatments include:

* Surgery (see Testicular Cancer Surgery)
* Radiation therapy (see Testicular Cancer Radiation Therapy)
* Chemotherapy (see Testicular Cancer Chemotherapy).

Treatment may result in side effects. These side effects vary, depending on which method is used to treat the cancer. Patients should work with their doctor to develop a treatment plan that meets their medical needs and personal values. Choosing the most appropriate treatment is a decision that ideally involves the patient, the patient's family, and the healthcare team.

Prognosis
A person's prognosis and treatment options will depend on:

* The testicular cancer stage
* The type of testicular cancer
* The size of the tumor
* The number and size of retroperitoneal lymph nodes.

In most cases, testicular cancer is curable. However, certain treatments for testicular cancer can cause permanent infertility. Patients who wish to have children should consider sperm banking before receiving treatment for the disease. Sperm banking is the process of freezing sperm and storing it for later use.

Statistics on Testicular Cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates that 8,250 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2006 and that 370 men will die from the disease in that same period.

Summary
Key information about testicular cancer includes the following:

* Testicular cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of one or both testicles.

* The two most common types of this disease are seminoma and nonseminoma. Other types of testicular cancer are rare.

* The condition occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 39.

* It accounts for only 1 percent of all cancers in men.

* Risk factors of developing it include having an undescended testicle, having previous testicular cancer, and having a family history of the disease.

* Symptoms of testicular cancer include a lump, swelling, or enlargement in the testicle; pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum; and an ache in the lower abdomen, back, or groin.

* A diagnosis generally involves blood tests, an ultrasound, and a biopsy.

* Treatment can often cure testicular cancer, but regular follow-up exams are extremely important.